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Proposal to construct 2 Indian Oil Corporation terminals in Karnataka opposed
Residents of Aligadda are opposing the move by the port department to hand over 2 acres of land to the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) which wants to build two terminals in the area. The port department has issued notice to 12 persons to vacate the area.
The IOC, which already has storage tanks in the area, has requested the port authorities to allot additional land in Aligadda on a 10-year lease to supply oil to ships in the INS Kadamba Naval Base. Aligadda is situated next to Karwar port. Preetam Masurkar, who is leading the opposition, told TOI that the IOC can use the additional land which is with the Navy to build the oil terminals. “The Indian Navy acquired 11,300 acres of land in Karwar for Project Seabird. Hundreds acres of the acquired land are still unused. So why does the OIC want to evacuate 12 more families?” he asked.
The port department acquired the land, where the IOC terminals are proposed, for the development of Karwar port about four decades ago. But the development of Karwar port was halted due to Project Seabird. “The port department had stated in an affidavit in the high court that the land acquisition process is not yet complete. No awards were given to the families. This being the case, the port department cannot acquire the same land for another purpose,” Masurkar said.
Local residents say that they have already raised the issue with the port department officials. They are worried due to reports that the administration will vacate houses in the area by Saturday. Department officials said that the district administration has been informed about objection from the residents. The assistant commissioner has convened a meeting on November 28 to discuss the issue. Representatives of the IOC, Navy and local residents will participate in the meeting. The final decision will be taken by the district administration, said a port department official. Track Order Authentic Jersey
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